scholarly journals Tumor Reduction in Multiple Myeloma: New Concepts for New Therapeutics

2022 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rafael Alonso ◽  
Juan José Lahuerta

The development of new resources for a more accurate diagnosis and response assessment in multiple myeloma has been a long process for decades, mainly since the middle of the 20th century. During this time, the succession of technical advances has run parallel to the better knowledge of disease biology and the availability of novel therapeutic strategies. The cornerstone of standardized criteria to uniformly evaluate the disease response in myeloma dates back to the 1990s when the key role of complete remission was established. Since then, different updates have been implemented according to available scientific evidences not always without certain controversies. The progressive improvements in survival results of myeloma patients and the growing quality of responses due to the novel therapies have led to the need of developing new tools for better monitoring of tumor burden. In this way, the concept of minimal residual disease and its key value based on the prognostic significance and the clinical relevance has been consolidated during the last years, overcoming the value of conventional response criteria or classical adverse prognosis markers. Nevertheless, its precise role in the clinical management of myeloma patients to detect early treatment failure and trigger early rescue strategies is still pending to be defined. In this review, we revisit the major milestones in the understanding of tumor reduction in multiple myeloma until the most recent imaging techniques or liquid biopsy approaches, including a critical view of conventional response criteria, whose backbone has remained unchanged during the last 20 years.

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 3519
Author(s):  
Elena Zamagni ◽  
Paola Tacchetti ◽  
Simona Barbato ◽  
Michele Cavo

The International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) recently introduced the evaluation of minimal residual disease (MRD) within the multiple myeloma (MM) response criteria, and MRD negativity assessed inside and outside the bone marrow is currently considered the most powerful predictor of favorable long-term outcomes. However, MRD evaluation has thus far relied on flow-cytometry or molecular-based methods, despite the limitations associated with the patchy infiltration of bone marrow (BM) plasma cells and the presence of extra-medullary (EMD). On the contrary, imaging-based sensitive response assessment through the use of functional rather than morphological whole-body (WB) imaging techniques, such as positron emission tomography with computed tomography (PET/CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), likely is a promising strategy to overcome these limitations in evaluating response to therapy and in the assessment of the MRD status in MM patients. However, despite the significant advances in the development and availability of novel functional imaging techniques for MRD evaluation, a worldwide standardization of imaging criteria for acquisition, interpretation, and reporting is yet to be determined and will be object of future investigations.


Leukemia ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alissa Visram ◽  
Iuliana Vaxman ◽  
Abdullah S. Al Saleh ◽  
Harsh Parmar ◽  
Angela Dispenzieri ◽  
...  

AbstractUnlike IgG monoclonal proteins (MCPs), IgA MCP quantification is unreliable due to beta-migration of IgA MCPs on serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP). The utility of nephelometric quantitative IgA (qIgA) to monitor IgA multiple myeloma (MM) is unclear. We retrospectively studied disease response kinetics using qIgA versus MCPs by SPEP, and developed and validated novel qIgA disease assessment criteria in 491 IgA MM patients. The SPEP MCP nadir occurred a median of 41 (IQR 0–102) days before the qIgA. The median time to achieve a partial response (PR) was shorter using standard IMWG versus qIgA response criteria (32 vs 58 days, p < 0.001). Stratification by qIgA criteria, unlike IMWG criteria, led to clear separation of the progression-free survival curves of patients achieving a PR or very good PR. There was a consistent trend toward earlier detection of disease progression using qIgA versus IMWG progression criteria. In conclusion, monitoring IgA MM using MCP-based IMWG criteria may be falsely reassuring, given that MCP levels on SPEP decrease faster than qIgA levels. The qIgA response criteria more accurately stratify patients based on the progression risk and may detect disease progression earlier, which may lead to more consistent measurement of trial endpoints and improved patient outcomes.


Blood ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 106 (11) ◽  
pp. 18-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruce D. Cheson ◽  
Beate Pfistner ◽  
Malik E. Juweid ◽  
Lena Specht ◽  
Steven T. Rosen ◽  
...  

Abstract Standardized response criteria are essential for interpretation of clinical data, comparisons among clinical trials, development of new therapies, and approval of agents by regulatory agencies. In 1999, an International Working Group (IWG) developed recommendations for response assessment for non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas (NHL) that were adopted internationally by study groups and regulatory agencies and, subsequently, by clinical trials groups for Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) as well (Cheson et al, J Clin Oncol, 17:1244, 1999). Since their publication, several observations compelled a reassessment and, ultimately, revision of those guidelines, e.g., the availability of FDG-PET scans, new insights into lymphoma pathology and biology, the failure of the IWG guidelines to include HL and extranodal NHL, and features of the original guidelines that were found to be unclear as they were implemented into clinical trials. Most notable of these was the interpretation of the response category of Complete Remission unconfirmed (CRu). In the context of the IHP, a group of international lymphoma investigators with expertise in medical hematology/oncology, radiation oncology, nuclear medicine and imaging, pathology, biostatistics, and pediatrics were convened to revise the IWG guidelines. Committees focused on Response Criteria, Pathology/Biology, Endpoints, and Clinical Features, and discussions were initiated to undertake a major revision of the IWG guidelines. The important modifications that will be presented included, but were not limited to, integration of PET according to recent data (Juweid et al, J Clin Oncol, 23:4652, 2005), to facilitate the distinction between persistent tumor and scar/fibrosis, virtually eliminate the designation of CRu, and improve prediction of outcome. Guidelines were provided for the specific indications where this test can be currently recommended. Other proposals involved the role of flow cytometry and assessment of minimal residual disease. Response criteria for extranodal sites were also incorporated. Adoption of these revised guidelines by study groups will further improve the conduct and interpretation of clinical trials leading to more effective therapies for patients with lymphomas.


2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (25) ◽  
pp. 2900-2910 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan-Jose Lahuerta ◽  
Bruno Paiva ◽  
Maria-Belen Vidriales ◽  
Lourdes Cordón ◽  
Maria-Teresa Cedena ◽  
...  

Purpose To perform a critical analysis on the impact of depth of response in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM). Patients and Methods Data were analyzed from 609 patients who were enrolled in the GEM (Grupo Español de Mieloma) 2000 and GEM2005MENOS65 studies for transplant-eligible MM and the GEM2010MAS65 clinical trial for elderly patients with MM who had minimal residual disease (MRD) assessments 9 months after study enrollment. Median follow-up of the series was 71 months. Results Achievement of complete remission (CR) in the absence of MRD negativity was not associated with prolonged progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) compared with near-CR or partial response (median PFS, 27, 27, and 29 months, respectively; median OS, 59, 64, and 65 months, respectively). MRD-negative status was strongly associated with prolonged PFS (median, 63 months; P < .001) and OS (median not reached; P < .001) overall and in subgroups defined by prior transplantation, disease stage, and cytogenetics, with prognostic superiority of MRD negativity versus CR particularly evident in patients with high-risk cytogenetics. Accordingly, Harrell C statistics showed higher discrimination for both PFS and OS in Cox models that included MRD (as opposed to CR) for response assessment. Superior MRD-negative rates after different induction regimens anticipated prolonged PFS. Among 34 MRD-negative patients with MM and a phenotypic pattern of bone marrow involvement similar to monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance at diagnosis, the probability of “operational cure” was high; median PFS was 12 years, and the 10-year OS rate was 94%. Conclusion Our results demonstrate that MRD-negative status surpasses the prognostic value of CR achievement for PFS and OS across the disease spectrum, regardless of the type of treatment or patient risk group. MRD negativity should be considered as one of the most relevant end points for transplant-eligible and elderly fit patients with MM.


Blood ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 108 (11) ◽  
pp. 3584-3584
Author(s):  
Amitabha Mazumder ◽  
Sundar Jagannath

The free light assay has been reported to be valuable in monitoring patients with non-secretory multiple myeloma (MM). Furthermore, because of its short half-life, it may be useful even in patients who produce intact M-proteins. Recently, FLC has also been included in a revised response criteria for MM (BGM Durie et al International uniform response criteria for multiple myeloma. Leukemia, 7/20/06, online, 1–7,2006). We decided to study the applicability of the measurement of free light chains (FLC) in patients who were treated on clinical trials at our center with novel agents such as bortezomib and lenalidomide. We followed 21 patients with non- or hyposecretory MM with FLC measurements. These patients did not have measurable intact M-proteins and had only small amount of urine total protein (UTP) or Bence-Jones protein (BJP) present (< 0.3 mg/24hours). In 7 patients on bortezomib trials and 6 patients on lenalidomide trials, the involved FLC decreased by > 50% without the ability to detect any change in the UTP or BJP. The disease response seen was confirmed by bone marrow exams when available. Conversely, in 3 patients on each of the 2 agents, there was progression (> 25% increase) in the involved FLC without measurable increase in the small amount of UTP or BJP present, confirmed by either bone marrow or skeletal progression. Thus, in these patients, the FLC provided the only convenient means of monitoring. In 14 and 12 patients on bortezomib and lenalidomide respectively who had measurable UTP and BJP or serum M-proteins, there was a > 50% decrease in the FLC upto 8 weeks before any significant changes were seen in the urine protein measures or in serum M-proteins. Furthermore, the decrease continued after the UTP and BJP had reached a low possibly threshold level. In fact, 1 complete response on bortezomib was seen, confirmed by bone marrow studies, even with residual UTP (possibly due to bisphosphonate effect). Conversely, in 11 and 10 patients on bortezomib and lenalidomide respectively with measurable UTP and BJP or serum M, the increase in the involved FLC preceded progression in the parameters by upto 6 weeks. Thus, in these patients, the FLC provided an early warning system for their response or lack thereof. With respect to the criteria included in the reference cited above, the difference between the FLC was less meaningful in those patients with renal insufficiency, since both are significantly elevated in this state. The ratio however was the least meaningful since it was either 0 or infinite for a long time period depending upon which FLC was involved. Thus, FLC measurements are useful for monitoring patients who might not otherwise be eligible or benefit from clinical trials of novel agents. It can also serve as a early harbinger of response or progression. However, the limitations of the assay with respect to ratios and differences need to noted.


Blood ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 114 (22) ◽  
pp. 4878-4878
Author(s):  
Byeong Seok Sohn ◽  
Eun Kyoung Kim ◽  
Dok Hyun Yoon ◽  
Myoung Joo Kang ◽  
Dae Ro Choi ◽  
...  

Abstract Abstract 4878 Introduction According to international uniform response criteria for multiple myeloma suggested in 2006, the response assessment for patients with oligo- and non-secretory multiple myeloma (MM) can be evaluated by the serum free light chain (FLC) assay. Although the FLC response criteria are not applicable in MM patients with measurable disease, there were several reports suggesting that serial measurement of serum FLC may detect relapse earlier than protein electrophoresis studies. We, therefore, investigated the preceding changes in serial serum FLC assay until progressive disease was confirmed by the international uniform response criteria in post-ASCT patients with measurable disease. Patients and Method We included patients from the AMC MM transplant registry, who met the following (1) undertook ASCT for measurable disease (2) showed, at least, two serial response assessment of stable disease or complete response before progression or relapse by serum or urine M-protein, (3) had periodic serum FLC assay simultaneously tested with serum and/or urine protein electrophoresis at each response assessment. Progressive disease (PD) was defined by increase of ≥ 25% from baseline in serum M-protein (the absolute increase must be ≥ 0.5mg/dL) and/or urine M-component (the absolute increase must be ' 200mg/24h) according to international uniform response criteria. In this investigation, significant increase in the difference between involved and uninvolved FLC (dFLC) and in the involved FLC (iFLC) was defined by increase of ≥ 25% from baseline. The positive predictive value of three cutoff levels for absolute increase, 10mg/L, 20mg/L, 100mg/L, were evaluated for both dFLC and iFLC provided serum FLC ratio was abnormal. Each patient was followed up with 1-3 month intervals according to the protocol for MM patients after ASCT. Result A total 29 patients of 138 patients in the AMC MM transplant registry satisfied above criteria. When the cut-off level for absolute increase was defined as 100mg/L, the significant increase of iFLC in 12 patients (41%) and dFLC in 11 patients (38%) preceded or accompanied with the time of progressive disease observed by M-protein. The median value of preceding time was 2 month (range -5 - 0). When the cut-off level was defined as 20mg/L, the sustained significant increase of iFLC in 21 patients (72%) and dFLC in 17 patients (59%) preceded or accompanied with the time of progressive disease with median of 2 month (range -9 - 0) and 2 month (range, -5 – 0), respectively. At the cut-off level of 10mg/L, the sustained significant increase of iFLC in 23 patients (79%) and dFLC in 21 patients (72%) preceded or accompanied with the time of progressive disease observed by M-protein. The median of preceding time was 2 month (range -11 - 0) and 1 month (range, -11 - 0), respectively. Twenty-eight dFLC values were observed as negative values out of a total 123 data from 29 patients. Of these values, 12 were below normal iFLC concentration, 14 within normal range of iFLC (kappa 8.5 - 23.7 mg/L, lambda 9.5 - 23.5 mg/L), and 2 above normal iFLC concentration. Conclusion In this study, about 70% of patients showed sustained significant increase of iFLC that preceded or accompanied the time of progressive disease observed by M-protein by a median of 2 months at a cut-off absolute increase of 20mg/L. Although there is a subtle difference in prediction rates according to defined cut-off levels, serial follow up of iFLC and sustained increase by 25% during follow-up seems to have a utility in the prediction of progression after ASCT. In addition, interpretations of dFLC may be difficult as it is frequently observed as negative value in post-ASCT MM patients. Therefore, the serial and sustained increase of iFLC may be useful in lower iFLC concentrations. However, there should be more validation with large patients' population. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 831-837 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Zamagni ◽  
P. Tacchetti ◽  
C. Terragna ◽  
M. Cavo

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